Our View: Thumbs up to renewed Nature Trail

Published: Saturday, May 4, 2013 5:30 a.m. CST

Thumbs up: To the restoration of the Nature Trail. After a controversial clearing of trees and vegetation by ComEd within its easement for power lines along the DeKalb trail, representatives from ComEd, the DeKalb Park District, the DeKalb County Forest Preserve worked with area residents to develop a plan to replant along the trail. The forest preserve planted more than 100 shrubs along the trail a couple of weeks ago, and crews installed many more on Thursday. Some trees and native prairie seeding will follow. An important aspect of the plan is that it involves sustainable plants that will not grow tall enough to interfere with the power lines, so future clearing will not be necessary. There was considerable outcry when the area was clear-cut last year; it appears this solution will beautify the area in a sustainable way.

Thumbs down: To Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, for his refusal to assert the state’s authority to regulate the concealed carry of firearms by properly trained gun owners. Quinn, a Chicago Democrat, says that the decision should be made at the municipal rather than state level. But that only opens the door for Chicago and other towns to continue to prohibit its citizens from carrying concealed weapons. That would maintain a status quo where only police and criminals have the guns.

Thumbs up: For new owners at Starbusters in DeKalb. The establishment had been having difficulty in recent years. The new owners, one of whom owns other bars in Elmhurst and Villa Park, plan to change the name to Rosy’s Roadhouse. They also want to install new sound and lighting systems for the stage, overhaul the bar’s kitchen and bathrooms, and book more live music acts. We hope the new owners bring fresh ideas and energy to the location.

Thumbs up: To Pappas Development for starting construction on the third building that company representatives planned along Sycamore Road. Brookview Terrace is being built behind Advance Auto Parts, 2151 Sycamore Road in DeKalb, and will hold seven commercial spaces and eight high-end apartments. Developer John Pappas figures there is a demand now for high-end, executive apartments, and we agree. We expect they wil be a delightful addition to DeKalb’s housing stock.

Thumbs up: To Charlotte Richards and the many crossing guards who help local children get to and from school safely each day. Richards was commended this week by DeKalb police for stopping children from crossing the street as police cars raced past her intersection at Ridge Drive and Huntington Road last month. Being a crossing guard is often a thankless job and one that’s not easy, especially in the rain and snow. So when you see a crossing guard out on the corner, give them a smile and a wave. They deserve it.